TY - JOUR
AU - Kasozi, Keneth Iceland
AU - Laudisoit, Anne
AU - Osuwat, Lawrence Obado
AU - Batiha, Gaber El-saber
AU - Al Omairi, Naif E.
AU - Aigbogun, Eric Osamudiamwen
AU - Ninsiima, Herbert Izo
AU - Usman, Ibe Michael
AU - Detora, Lisa M.
AU - Macleod, Ewan
AU - Nalugo, Halima
AU - Crawley, Francis P.
AU - Bierer, Barbara E.
AU - Mwandah, Daniel Chans
AU - Kato, Charles Drago
AU - Kiyimba, Kenedy
AU - Ayikobua, Emmanuel Tiyo
AU - Lillian, Linda
AU - Matama, Kevin
AU - Nelly Mak, Shui Ching
AU - Onanyang, David
AU - Pius, Theophilus
AU - Nalumenya, David Paul
AU - Ssebuufu, Robinson
AU - Rugambwa, Nina
AU - Musoke, Grace Henry
AU - Bardosh, Kevin
AU - Ochieng, Juma John
AU - Ssempijja, Fred
AU - Kyamanywa, Patrick
AU - Tumwine, Gabriel
AU - Alzahrani, Khalid J.
AU - Welburn, Susan Christina
PY - 2021
DA - March
TI - A Descriptive-Multivariate Analysis of Community Knowledge, Confidence, and Trust in COVID-19 Clinical Trials among Healthcare Workers in Uganda
JO - Vaccines
VL - 9
IS - 3
DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9030253
AB - Background—misinformation and mistrust often undermines community vaccine uptake, yet information in rural communities, especially of developing countries, is scarce. This study aimed to identify major challenges associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine clinical trials among healthcare workers and staff in Uganda. Methods—a rapid exploratory survey was conducted over 5 weeks among 260 respondents (66% male) from healthcare centers across the country using an online questionnaire. Twenty-seven questions assessed knowledge, confidence, and trust scores on COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials from participants in 46 districts in Uganda. Results—we found low levels of knowledge (i.e., confusing COVID-19 with Ebola) with males being more informed than females (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 0.7–3.0), and mistrust associated with policy decisions to promote herbal treatments in Uganda and the rushed international clinical trials, highlighting challenges for the upcoming Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccinations. Knowledge, confidence and trust scores were higher among the least educated (certificate vs. bachelor degree holders). We also found a high level of skepticism and possible community resistance to DNA recombinant vaccines, such as the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. Preference for herbal treatments (38/260; 14.6%, 95% CI: 10.7–19.3) currently being promoted by the Ugandan government raises major policy concerns. High fear and mistrust for COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials was more common among wealthier participants and more affluent regions of the country. Conclusion—our study found that knowledge, confidence, and trust in COVID-19 vaccines was low among healthcare workers in Uganda, especially those with higher wealth and educational status. There is a need to increase transparency and inclusive participation to address these issues before new trials of COVID-19 vaccines are initiated.
PB - MDPI
UR - https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/741714d1-795b-4158-806a-81cd41a26564
KW - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
KW - Work and workforce
ER